NEH approves petition for reorganization

Superintendent Sherwood outlines the next steps for both districts to take; District patrons can now begin gathering signatures for submission to PLAEA

The Northeast Hamilton School Board approved the petition for reorganization with the Webster City Community School District at its regular meeting Thursday night.

With President Pro Tem Marlin Pruismann and Directors Sara Zorn and Tyler Burton in attendance, the board voted unanimously to approve the petition which includes decisions made at the joint meeting with the Webster City School District School Board held on Oct. 12. NEH board members President Eric Patterson and Director Sally Greenfield were absent.

The vote included NEH’s preference for two possible district maps which set boundaries for the new reorganized district. NEH’s two preferences will be forwarded to the Webster City School Board which will vote on the matter at its monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 23.

Superintendent Mike Sherwood outlined the next steps in the reorganization process. District patrons can now begin gathering signatures for the petition to be submitted to the Prairie Lakes Area Education Agency by Nov. 1. By that time, district boundary lines will be determined, including a clarification of the boundary line between Wright and Hamilton counties. If the petition is approved by the AEA, the vote on reorganization will be held by both districts in April 2018. Once the petition is filed, both districts can begin work on an agreement which addresses building use, transitions and operating procedures.

Sherwood clarified the three school boards that will be seated during the reorganization process. At the Oct. 12 meeting, both school boards voted to establish an interim board comprised of four Webster City members and one NEH member. These boards are dictated by population. If the reorganization is approved by the majority of patrons of both districts in April 2018, both the Webster City and NEH school boards, along with the interim board, will preside independently until January 1, 2019. After that date, only the interim board will preside until the November 2019 school board elections when two directorships will be open for election.

Sherwood reported that the joint employment application between Webster City and NEH has been approved by the state. With that approval, NEH is eligible for incentives. Those incentives include counting an additional 10.8 students in its enrollment which results in an additional $70,000 in state funds to the district for the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 school years. Webster City is also eligible for incentive funding.

NEH School Principal and Associate Superintendent Mike Kruger reported that NEH’s certified enrollment is 190.80 students, a drop from the 2016/2017 enrollment of 195.30 students.

In old business, Sherwood and Kruger reported on the facilities’ update. The bus barn driveway is completed and landscape grading is being done. The brick on Old Main will be caulked and tuck pointed with window and door areas rebricked and reflashed. Greenhouse footings have been completed and floor grades will be done. The former weight room will be transformed into a classroom with a dropped ceiling, revamped restrooms and aluminum entrance doors installed. Kruger noted that the work on the replacement of the gym windows is also complete.

The board gave Sherwood permission to seek estimates to address water infiltration issues in the administration building’s second floor. Sherwood was also directed to seek estimates for a whole building air conditioner unit that will serve the administration offices and the 4th-6th grade room. Included in those estimates would be a single room unit for the green house building.

Sherwood reported back to the board that a metal roof for Old Main would cost five times that of a shingle roof. The board indicated installing a shingle roof but work can’t take place until spring.

In other business, the board approved the debt service payment authorization of $32,355 and accepted the Limited English Proficiency excess cost of $47 from the state.

The board approved the Open Enrollment request out of the district for a student who never attended NEH.

Pruismann and Zorn reported on the informal board meeting between NEH, Webster City and Stratford. The boards spoke on future sharing of professional development, coordinating school calendars and developing student transition plans.

The board approved the Buena Vista Fall Field Experience agreement for two student teachers at NEH in the Pre-K and 4th – 6th grade classrooms.

In his administrative report, Kruger announced that 4th – 6th Grade Reading and Title teacher Laura Seiser received a $350 grant from the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area. The funds will be used to finance spring trip transportation costs. NEH kicked off its Healthy Iowa Walk with a school stroll around the new playground track and the initiation of its “Don’t Sit, Get Fit” campaign. On Oct. 16, Kruger and Third Grade teacher Tammy Massman attended the Iowa Technology and Education Connection conference in Des Moines. Teachers Tammy Massman, Kim Schimp, Joni Smith and Janelle Oakland attended the Teacher Leadership and Compensation meeting in Webster City last week. NEH representatives will attend the Professional Learning Communities at Work conference in Des Moines on Oct. 23-25. NEH will begin its What I Need (WIN) program this week with an emphasis on creative writing.

Board members will attend the Iowa State School Board convention to be held on Nov. 15-17 in Des Moines.

The board adjourned at 6:58 p.m. The next regular Board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Media Center.